Monday, February 9, 2009

Monster Mondays: Brother Voodoo

He's not exactly a monster, but it is Black History month, and this week we are going to feature as many Marvel characters as we can! Can you believe that Brother Voodoo, as infamous as he is, never had a first issue all to himself? His first appearance was in Strange Tales #169 in 1973:

Great cover by Johnny Romita. This issue, very well executed by Len Wein and Gene Colan, sets up the origin of Brother Voodoo, aka Jericho Drumm, which is pretty much the same origin as Doctor Strange! You see, Dr. Jericho Drumm has little time for spiritual matters and wants to completely forget that he was born in Haiti. But his dying brother, Daniel (always associated this series with Elton John's song), brings him back home and to the world of voodoo.

Brother Voodoo appeared in Strange Tales from 169 to 173. The series was probably cancelled due to low sales, but the good Brother was operating with one hand tied behind his back--by the comics code. The code did not allow for the living dead to appear in color comics. Zombies could not be used in a comic with Voodoo in the title! Unfortunately, his series was cancelled right in the middle of a cliffhanger! The second part of the story appeared in the black and white magazine, Tales of the Zombie #6.

Brother Voodoo appeared a second time in Tales of the Zombie #10, in a story by Doug Moench and Tony DeZuniga. Since then, Brother has had notable guest appearances in Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and the New Avengers.

Fred Hembeck made a running joke out of Brother Voodoo in various Marvel Age strips. Somewhat unfairly, I thought, but it kept the character in memory throughout the 80s.

Oliver Tull, the co-host of Fanboy Radio, loves Brother Voodoo more than anyone. He has often talked about his pitch to revitalize BV for Marvel.

As for me, I have a dream...that one day we will be able to buy Brother Voodoo #1 at a comic book store! Nuff said.